My Home Town (‘Life’s a Journey’ nostalgia Link-Up, week 39)

This post is part of a weekly series of ‘link-up’ Posts which reflect on life’s journey, old memories andfamily stories(see below for more info).

————————————————————————-

There was a time when people didn’t move around much. If you were born in Birmingham, you’d probably have died in Birmingham. Maybe that explains why I left, eh?

I am indeed a Brummie lass. Generations of my family emerged, sooty or sugary from the Black Country coal fields and the factory halls of the Cadbury brothers’ Bournville empire. Birmingham was a grey, nasty, industrial place with more miles of canal that actual Venice (’tis true, look it up!) until recent years of investment transformed her into a sultry beauty. I loved her vastness, her grime and her filth during the days of my youth and I love her now, gleaming, multicultural and new. She is genetically imprinted on my soul.

I recently discovered some marvellous vintage photos of the area where I was born, Northfield. I find it fascinating to look back at a place which you used to know so well and find that it has become, or indeed was historically, unrecognisable to you. Home, sweet sweet home.

Tell us about your home town. Maybe, like me, you’ve moved away and return to see family often. Perhaps you still live in the very home in which you were born? Do you love or hate the place where you grew up, and why?

Share your memories with us in this week’s Link Up – either write a blog post and link it up (the Linky will stay open for some time yet, so no need to rush), or just share your memories with us in the comments if you prefer – you don’t have to have a Blog to play! Everyone welcome here. Consider it therapy. But do tell your friends!